The battlefield had turned into chaos.
The sky above Shadow Academy was torn open by the massive Abyss Gate, and dark energy poured down like a storm.
Students fought desperately across the academy grounds.
But the real focus of the battlefield had shifted.
The **Abyss General** slowly descended from the sky.
Its massive wings spread wide, casting a giant shadow across the academy courtyard.
And its burning red eyes were locked on one person.
Arata.
Ren stepped forward immediately.
"Hey ugly!"
Ice energy gathered around his hands.
"You're fighting us first."
But the Abyss General didn't even look at him.
"You are insignificant."
With a casual wave of its hand—
A blast of dark energy erupted.
**BOOM**
Ren was thrown across the courtyard, crashing into a stone wall.
Lyra instantly reacted.
"Light Shield!"
Golden energy formed a barrier in front of Arata.
The dark attack smashed into it, creating cracks across the glowing shield.
Lyra gritted her teeth.
"…It's too strong!"
The Abyss General continued walking forward.
Its voice echoed across the battlefield.
"The Ancient God's successor must die."
Arata clenched his fist.
The golden mark on his palm burned hotter than ever.
Inside his mind—
The voice of the Ancient Entity spoke again.
*Your power is still sealed.*
*But if you wish to protect them…*
*You must open the first gate.*
Arata's breathing became heavier.
"First gate…?"
The voice responded calmly.
*Your true power.*
Suddenly—
A loud sonic boom shook the sky.
Kaito returned.
He slammed into the Abyss General like a meteor, sending both of them crashing into the far side of the courtyard.
The ground exploded beneath them.
Ren slowly stood up, holding his side.
"…That thing hits like a truck."
Lyra ran to his side.
"Are you okay?"
"Yeah," Ren said with a weak grin.
"Just a few broken ribs."
In the distance, Kaito and the Abyss General stood facing each other again.
But this time—
Kaito was breathing slightly heavier.
The General smiled.
"You cannot protect him forever."
Kaito wiped a small drop of blood from his lip.
"…I don't need forever."
Blue lightning exploded around him again.
"I just need long enough."
They launched toward each other again.
The sky shook as their powers collided.
Massive shockwaves blasted across the academy.
Buildings cracked.
The ground shattered.
But even in the middle of that battle—
The Abyss General suddenly broke away.
And shot directly toward Arata again.
Kaito's eyes widened.
"…Damn it!"
But he was too far away.
The General landed in front of Arata.
Its massive presence crushed the air itself.
"You cannot escape your destiny."
Dark energy gathered in its hand.
"I will erase you."
Lyra tried to move.
But the pressure was too strong.
Ren tried to stand again.
But his body refused to cooperate.
Arata stood alone.
The dark attack began forming.
Inside his mind, the Ancient Entity spoke again.
*Now.*
*Open it.*
Arata slowly closed his eyes.
His fist tightened.
"…If I open it…"
"Will I be able to protect them?"
The voice answered.
*Yes.*
Arata took a deep breath.
Then whispered two words.
"…First Gate."
For a moment—
Nothing happened.
Then—
The golden mark on his palm exploded with light.
Energy surged through his entire body like a raging river.
The ground beneath his feet cracked.
The air around him began vibrating violently.
The Abyss General stopped moving.
"…What?"
Arata opened his eyes.
They were glowing gold.
A powerful aura surrounded him.
Different from before.
Stronger.
Older.
The Ancient Entity's voice echoed inside his mind.
*The power of the Ancient God…*
*…has begun to awaken.*
The Abyss General smiled slowly.
"So it begins."
It swung its claw toward Arata.
But this time—
Arata moved first.
His body vanished.
The General's eyes widened.
Arata reappeared directly in front of it.
His fist moved.
**BOOM**
The punch slammed into the General's chest.
For the first time—
The Abyss General was forced backward.
It skidded across the ground, carving a massive trench.
Ren stared in shock.
"…Did he just punch the General?"
Lyra's eyes widened.
"His energy… it's completely different."
Arata slowly stepped forward.
Golden energy flowed around him like flames.
The General stood up again.
But now—
It looked excited.
"Yes…"
"This is the power we feared."
Kaito landed nearby, staring at Arata.
"…So the awakening finally started."
Arata looked at his glowing hands.
The power flowing through him felt incredible.
But also dangerous.
Because deep inside—
He could feel something else watching.
Something ancient.
Something far stronger than anything on the battlefield.
The Ancient God's power had begun to awaken.
And the war between the Abyss and humanity had officially begun.
To be continued....